A 10-year analysis of application and match rates for pain medicine training in the United States

Abstract

Objective: We analyzed application and match rates for pain medicine training in the United States and hypothesized that there would be (1) greater growth in the number of training positions than applicants, (2) higher match rates among US allopathic graduates relative to non-US allopathic graduates, and (3) greater number of unfilled training positions over time. Design: Retrospective, cross-sectional study of all applicants for pain medicine training in the United States. Method: National Resident Matching Program data were obtained over a ten-year period (2014-2023). Match rates and applicant-To-position ratios were calculated and compared over time with linear regression. Comparisons were made with chi-square tests. Results: Growth in the number of annual training positions (261-377, 44% increase) exceeded growth in the number of interested applicants (398-415, 4% increase) (P